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The complete guide to the Edinburgh FestivalTue, 10 Feb 2015 12:23:47 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1ED2014 Comedy Review: Ray Peacock – Here Comes Trouble (Avalon Promotions Ltd)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-ray-peacock-here-comes-trouble-avalon-promotions-ltd/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-ray-peacock-here-comes-trouble-avalon-promotions-ltd/#commentsFri, 22 Aug 2014 07:51:09 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=31898The “trouble” in question here is largely of the self-inflicted variety. Turns out that’s the result of being bipolar: “if my life were a boxing match, it would’ve been stopped years ago”. And it nearly was, in a failed suicide attempt which Ray Peacock boldly mines to fine comic effect. If that sounds dark, it is, but the anarchic, gag-riddled tales which Peacock recounts with wit, skill and warmth- variously involving Beliebers, the police (repeatedly) and assorted online foolishness – more than leaven the seriousness. The only really troubling thing (other than how those ‘best jokes of the Fringe’ people missed his ‘Noel Edmonds is a cunt’ gag, which is a beauty), is that there aren’t more people in the audience. Not long left, Edinburgh – sort it out.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-ray-peacock-here-comes-trouble-avalon-promotions-ltd/feed/0ED2014 Comedy Review: Carl Donnelly – Now That’s What I Carl Donnelly Vol 6 (Avalon Promotions Ltd)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-carl-donnelly-now-thats-what-i-carl-donnelly-vol-6-avalon-promotions-ltd/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-carl-donnelly-now-thats-what-i-carl-donnelly-vol-6-avalon-promotions-ltd/#commentsWed, 20 Aug 2014 18:43:58 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=31818Carl Donnelly has been on a voyage of self-discovery since last year and, naturally enough, he’s here to tell us about it. An engaging series of stories ensues: from travels in India, laser eye surgery and Peruvian spirit tea to the sometimes unfortunate consequences of “vicaring” (a word comics apparently use to mean picking up fans for post-gig sex), His set is peppered with good gags and entertaining tangents, though he could stand to lose the habit of over-egging forthcoming punchlines; “and then he said to me literally the funniest thing anyone’s ever said”. Now, it did turn out to be a pretty funny thing they said, but perhaps best let the audience be the judge of that. Otherwise, an accomplished and entertaining performance.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 23 Aug.tw rating 4/5 | [Bruce Blacklaw]

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-carl-donnelly-now-thats-what-i-carl-donnelly-vol-6-avalon-promotions-ltd/feed/0ED2014 Comedy Review: Phil Wang – Mellow Yellow (Avalon Promotions Ltd)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-phil-wang-mellow-yellow-avalon-promotions-ltd/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-phil-wang-mellow-yellow-avalon-promotions-ltd/#commentsMon, 18 Aug 2014 19:46:08 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=31668Phil Wang wants a one star review. Not out of masochism, but to complete the set, having already had a 2, 3, 4 and 5. The title comes from what he reckons are his two main characteristics: a calm demeanour and, well, he’s half-Chinese (he said it, don’t write in!), a heritage from which he taps a rich vein of humour. It’s not all gold the use of foot pedal effects, for soundtracks to imagined adult remakes of kids’ films, grows tiresome and probably peaked at the start when he used it to ask people to turn their phones off. Overall though, deploying a nerdy charm and ready wit to fine effect, he’s gone the wrong way about getting that one star.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 24 Aug.tw rating 3/5 | [Bruce Blacklaw]

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-phil-wang-mellow-yellow-avalon-promotions-ltd/feed/0ED2014 Comedy Review: Tiff Stevenson Optimist (Avalon Promotions Ltd)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-tiff-stevenson-optimist-avalon-promotions-ltd/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-tiff-stevenson-optimist-avalon-promotions-ltd/#commentsFri, 15 Aug 2014 12:53:26 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=31481Tiff Stevenson believes we are in the grip of an “asshole apocalypse”. How can we be optimists, she asks, in a world where the Kardashians exist? Her hour begins with a promise that she can cater to both the cultured and uncultured sides of the audience, with niche film references accompanied by mentions of everyday vodka and pregnancy tests scattered throughout the show. Although her observations are good, her material feels a bit all over the place; sometimes her darker stories and revelations come too suddenly, taking the audience by surprise and pushing the room into silence. It’s all very well being honest, but it is a stand up show and during these parts, and beyond, there are very few laughs.

Gilded Balloon, until 24 Aug.tw rating 3/5 | [Stephanie Gray]

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-tiff-stevenson-optimist-avalon-promotions-ltd/feed/0ED2014 Comedy Review: Katie Mulgrew – Happily Ever After (Avalon Promotions Ltd)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-katie-mulgrew-happily-ever-after-avalon-promotions-ltd/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-katie-mulgrew-happily-ever-after-avalon-promotions-ltd/#commentsThu, 14 Aug 2014 17:28:05 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=31377When you stop to think about it, some of the lessons that Disney films teach us are pretty questionable. This is the loose premise of Katie Mulgrews show, in which she explores the effect of Disney princess culture on young minds not least her own. Starting out in a lo-fi Sleeping Beauty-style bed (never mentioned again after the first three minutes), Mulgrew quickly builds a strong rapport with the audience, which keeps them on her side despite a few weak gags. Its generally good fun though, and in the end Mulgrew provides some genuinely thought-provoking examinations of princess culture and what it teaches us to be. The show ends on a lovely note, too.

Gilded Balloon, until 24 Aug.tw rating 3/5 | [Jon Stapley]

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2014-comedy-review-katie-mulgrew-happily-ever-after-avalon-promotions-ltd/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Phil Wang – Anti-Hero (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-phil-wang-anti-hero-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-phil-wang-anti-hero-avalon-promotions/#commentsSat, 31 Aug 2013 11:37:35 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=28089Phil Wang opens his stand-up routine by explaining that he doesn’t approve of the media hype around festival shows. He doesn’t want to be a “rising star” or “eagerly anticipated”. So we’ll call a spade a spade: Wang is hilarious. In this, his debut hour, he has the audience in stitches over all sorts of odd gags. At one point he becomes a t-rex, at another a red pen… In between these bizarre moments, he tells more humdrum stories about growing up with a Chinese father and an English mother. At just 23 and with talent that belies his years, Wang is one of the best stand-ups around; he’s a rising star, whether he likes it or not.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-phil-wang-anti-hero-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Rob Delaney Live (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-rob-delaney-live-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-rob-delaney-live-avalon-promotions/#commentsSat, 31 Aug 2013 10:43:58 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=28096Making his Scottish debut, Rob Delaney transfers his crude humour from the internet to the stage. With most of his material centred on “jerking off”, I couldn’t help but sit and cringe as he spoke like a teenage boy, completely obsessed with sex. The boorish jokes seemed like a way to gain cheap laughs, something you’d expect from your little brother and not an accomplished comedian. At times Delaney proved he has depth as he occasionally diverted to other subjects, addressing topics such as politics and parenthood with great wit. This demonstrated that he probably is a comedian worthy of his large following, but the toilet humour is still tactless and boring, sorry. Next joke please Delaney.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-rob-delaney-live-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Carl Hutchinson – All The Rage (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-carl-hutchinson-all-the-rage-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-carl-hutchinson-all-the-rage-avalon-promotions/#commentsSat, 24 Aug 2013 06:00:45 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=27338Behind the polite seeming, well-groomed young man we see on stage is an alternative, irascible persona. Unwilling to let go of any slights against him, he revels in retaliating disproportionately over petty inconveniences: he does not share appetisers, he hates waiters who don’t write down orders, and he only disingenuously offers up the toilet for the other person to use first. We love how he admits to feeling a rage about things that, socially, we feel forced to accept, and feel a vicarious pleasure in hearing how he eschews politeness in order to say exactly what he wants. It is a very funny performance, easy to relate to, which in fact has a sweet take home message: not to emulate his belligerence, but to make life happier by rising above it.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-carl-hutchinson-all-the-rage-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Helen O’Brien – Bronagh’s Big Weekend (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-helen-obrien-bronaghs-big-weekend-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-helen-obrien-bronaghs-big-weekend-avalon-promotions/#commentsThu, 22 Aug 2013 15:48:48 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=27224With Irish tap dancing, an artlessly candid dialogue and a bowl-cut fringe, Helen O’Brien does a bang-up job of convincing us she’s little Bronagh, a young girl from the 80s. It’s a coming-of-(teen)age story, with all the nitty-gritty details of puberty and life in a northern, somewhat loony, family. O’Brien is a one-woman pleasure, sashaying in and out of accents and characters. There are moments of slight vulgarity but they’re somehow made charming – including mentions of urine, sick and blood. Surges of low-key music and swift changes of dancing shoes keep the show flowing as O’Brien quite literally tells it how it is. After all, haven’t you ever heard of overcooked chicken kievs at a wedding?

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-helen-obrien-bronaghs-big-weekend-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Jigsaw – Jiggle It (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-jigsaw-jiggle-it-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-jigsaw-jiggle-it-avalon-promotions/#commentsWed, 21 Aug 2013 11:18:09 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=26986Back with a high-energy show, tightly packed with witty sketches and new material, Jigsaw’s third Edinburgh run is sure to be as successful as the previous two. The sketches are very short (sometimes lasting less than a minute) and the jokes come rapidly, so make sure you’ve had plenty of coffee beforehand. Some scenes are based around a single idiom or gag, so they don’t develop much, but the rapidity of scenes keeps the audience’s attention and stops this becoming a problem. The performers have a great rapport, both amongst themselves and with the audience. They’re not afraid to be silly and they move skilfully from character to character – a brilliant show, full of harebrained ideas.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-jigsaw-jiggle-it-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: The Horne Section Live In A Cow (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-the-horne-section-live-in-a-cow-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-the-horne-section-live-in-a-cow-avalon-promotions/#commentsWed, 21 Aug 2013 10:54:03 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=26958“There will be music, comedy, chatting about the weather and no politics”; that’s what we’re told to expect at The Horne Section Live in a Cow, and 3 out of 4 are spot-on. Showcasing different acts each night, as well as pieces from the whole band and particular members, the Horne Section has something for everyone. Jazz singer Gwyneth Herbert was one of the guests present, and she left everyone in the room awe-struck – her music was punchy, beautiful and well-suited to the show’s calibre. From magic tricks to the part where the audience helped to conduct the band, and a competition to see which band member is the best looking, the Horne Section was a delight, and most certainly not to be missed..

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-the-horne-section-live-in-a-cow-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: WitTank Presents The School (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-wittank-presents-the-school-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-wittank-presents-the-school-avalon-promotions/#commentsWed, 21 Aug 2013 08:16:48 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=26850Dust off your blazer and grab your pencil case for this one. As an audience, we are invited into the exclusive establishment that is ‘The School’, complete with a crude and crazed headmaster, and pushy parents. The sketches are on the long side, but this doesn’t detract from the humour as there are jokes throughout, and the group have created some fantastic characters. They manage to mix sharp comedy with silly gags in a way that is truly hilarious. From an interactive choir practice to a sketch about the perils of getting hooked on Wotsits, not to mention several characters’ relationship with a lonely overhead projector, this show has some weird but wonderful moments. A must-see.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-wittank-presents-the-school-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Peacock & Gamble – Heartthrobs (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-peacock-gamble-heartthrobs-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-peacock-gamble-heartthrobs-avalon-promotions/#commentsWed, 14 Aug 2013 21:51:54 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=25635A delirious spectacle of side-splitting comedy. Powerhouse character comedy duo Peacock and Gamble, proudly sponsored by the fictional Yuki Butter (the running theme of the show), provide a phenomenal and highly imaginative performance. Starting with clips of the award-winning duo in different locations dubbing songs in Japanese, appallingly, they keep the young audience in uproarious laughter with a variety of sketches; from virtual internet dating to a game-show involving letting a sleeping deer lie undisturbed. They gel perfectly on stage: Peacock takes on the role of a boisterous, hyperactive man-child, constantly kept in check by the more sane Gamble. Outstanding.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug, 9.45pm.tw rating 5/5 | [Shiv Das]

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-peacock-gamble-heartthrobs-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Children’s Show Review: Horne Section’s Family Bash (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-childrens-show-review-horne-sections-family-bash-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-childrens-show-review-horne-sections-family-bash-avalon-promotions/#commentsWed, 14 Aug 2013 21:41:18 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=25623If you’re looking for a high energy way to entertain the kids, Horne Section’s Family Bash may be the answer to your groggy parental prayers. Five highly skilled musicians and a comedian with an array of entertaining props (space hopper anyone?) interact with audience members, compose music and perform spectacular magic tricks which leave children spellbound. A simpler and more educational (we sang the days of the week in four different languages) show than many others geared for kids, this musical and comedic bonanza is filled with puns, interaction and some very silly songs. Though any adults wishing to avoid participation should stay away from the front row, lest they wish to have numerous songs composed in their honour…

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-childrens-show-review-horne-sections-family-bash-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Jimmy McGhie – Delusions of Candour (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-jimmy-mcghie-delusions-of-candour-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-jimmy-mcghie-delusions-of-candour-avalon-promotions/#commentsWed, 14 Aug 2013 09:13:32 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=25425Making a mockery out of everything middle-class, Jimmy McGhie was nothing short of outstanding. His social commentary, to the audience’s amusement, was delivered with the world-weary bitterness of a man well beyond his years. Yet, where many comedians might roll off onto irrelevant rants, McGhie was cutting and pertinent. Don’t be fooled by the intelligent and interesting observations into thinking it will be purely highbrow, however; if a penis joke presented itself, he couldn’t resist. His show stands out because of the sheer scope and range of his material and this you should discover for yourself. It is so much more than just stand and deliver; McGhie interacted, improvised and ultimately impressed.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-jimmy-mcghie-delusions-of-candour-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Tom Craine – Crying On A Waltzer (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-tom-craine-crying-on-a-waltzer-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-tom-craine-crying-on-a-waltzer-avalon-promotions/#commentsWed, 14 Aug 2013 08:57:39 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=25405“I might be an idiot, but at least I’m not a prick”. Tom Craine, of Jigsaw and R4 fame, led us through a comical review of his past year, which, it seems, has been miserable. Charming and instantly likeable, Craine discussed everything from his recent break-up to Christmas with his parents, offering material of the kind anyone can relate to, and keeping his sympathetic audience laughing all evening. The main focus of this self-proclaimed idiot’s set is his break-up with his girlfriend, a fellow comedian, and he covers every corner of the failure of that relationship, from the moving out moment, to post-break up blues, and on to considering a proposal; real life stories which really struck a chord, and generated mirth, despite the sadness. Which just proves that Tom Craine is simply a really funny guy, whatever the subject matter.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-tom-craine-crying-on-a-waltzer-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Matt Forde – The Political Party (Avalon Productions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-matt-forde-the-political-party-avalon-productions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-matt-forde-the-political-party-avalon-productions/#commentsFri, 09 Aug 2013 06:15:02 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=24563Politics is a business that attracts charmers, social recluses and nutters alike. In Political Party, Matt Forde celebrates the most colourful characters in modern British politics. Having worked in politics for a long time, he has a long list of anecdotes about his interactions with these politicians, including Dennis Skinner and Nigel Farage. One could accuse Forde of being too involved with the political machine: his politics are as safe and fuzzy as his satirical targets. But with fun for those with no interest in politics, and hilarity for those who have, there’s something for everyone in ‘The Political Party’ – and not just the narcissists in the House of Commons. A show that really hits the Marx.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-matt-forde-the-political-party-avalon-productions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Richard Herring – We’re All Going to Die! (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-richard-herring-were-all-going-to-die-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-richard-herring-were-all-going-to-die-avalon-promotions/#commentsFri, 09 Aug 2013 05:37:49 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=24510It certainly does pay tribute to Richard Herring’s comic abilities that the audience was able to leave the theatre feeling strangely uplifted, especially when considering the show’s subject matter. True to form, we were treated to a coherent, discerning tirade against the dread and respect of death, delivered in good spirits. Herring has the tendency to go on at times, but for the most part he used this to his advantage, notably when launching into a diatribe against a certain critic; his deconstruction of Hamlet’s soliloquy, on the other hand, was less successful. But by the end, everyone in the room was headed towards the pearly gates with a smile on their face.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-richard-herring-were-all-going-to-die-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Jenny Eclair – Eclairious (Avalon)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-jenny-eclair-eclairious-avalon/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-jenny-eclair-eclairious-avalon/#commentsWed, 07 Aug 2013 21:18:30 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=24304‘Eclairious’ should come with a warning: it’s glorious, but not for the squeamish. If a torrent of jokes about bras and ladybits are going to make you uncomfortable, then this ‘Loose Women’ after-dark romp is probably not for you. Wildly honest, Eclair can simultaneously mock and appeal to the ‘50 Shades’ mummy-porn generation; but perhaps less so to their awkward-looking husbands who got dragged along for the ride. In equal measure, Eclair is grumpy and theatrically silly, complaining about flabby knees and revelling in the unrivalled joy that comes from wearing big pants. Despite a lot of gags riffing on the menopause and pissing yourself, Eclair proves that you can be scarily smart, but still find fart jokes funny. And honestly, who doesn’t?

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-jenny-eclair-eclairious-avalon/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: Iain Stirling – At Home (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-iain-stirling-at-home-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-iain-stirling-at-home-avalon-promotions/#commentsTue, 06 Aug 2013 17:26:57 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=24068Edinburgh born Iain Stirling looks at the idea of ‘home’ and what it means to us. He explores the idea through his experience of being an outsider in London – where he finds conversation far from his customary swear-every-second-word Scots’ dialogue, and where nobody thinks about stealing the set of ladders from his neighbours’ front garden. Through self-ridicule and brutal honesty, Iain comically brings to light what it means to be twenty-something and suddenly thrown into a form of adulthood. If you’re Edinburgh born or have the tendency to use “barry” as a term of approval – you’ll have plenty to relate to in this naturally raw and honest comedy show.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-iain-stirling-at-home-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2013 Comedy Review: David Baddiel – Fame Not The Musical (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-david-baddiel-fame-not-the-musical-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-david-baddiel-fame-not-the-musical-avalon-promotions/#commentsSat, 03 Aug 2013 17:55:51 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=23690David Baddiel’s first Fringe show in fifteen years is less a stand-up routine and more a highly entertaining, intelligent lecture on the experience of being famous. Covering the highs and lows of being marginally famous, including the joys of groupies and the perils of Twitter, Baddiel’s anecdotes have the audience laughing and thinking in equal measure. Not quite the acerbic firebrand of his youth, Baddiel is none the less a charming, interesting speaker. Sadly, the show lacks the razor’s edge needed to elevate it from good to great. Although funny, one gets the feeling Baddiel is more at home with the written word than performing live these days. Regardless, this is an amusing hour of thought provoking comedy.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-comedy-review-david-baddiel-fame-not-the-musical-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Chris Ramsey – Feeling Lucky (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-chris-ramsey-feeling-lucky-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-chris-ramsey-feeling-lucky-avalon-promotions/#commentsFri, 31 Aug 2012 18:36:22 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=15124Squashed into a sold out session; a quick scan around the room, and it’s clear who Chris Ramsey’s fan-base are. Lots of high heels and skirts spotted, giggles heard. Lots of longing looks and hair twiddling was going on throughout the hour, and not just from the girls in the crowd. Ramsey really is a charmer – I was waiting for the shiny ding every time he grinned – and the ambition of ‘Feeling Lucky’ is massive, pondering on the universe, genealogy, Darwinism (really). Although his delivery is earnest, and manic, and handsome, even touching (his fondness for his parents is just gorgeous), he dumbs it down, apologising for the “science bit” and making sure there was a “knob gag”. Sit on the fence, Ramsey, and you might fall off.

Pleasance Courtyard, 1-26 Aug, 7.40pm. tw rating 3/5 | [L Clarkson]

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-chris-ramsey-feeling-lucky-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Iain Stirling – Happy To Be The Clown? (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-iain-stirling-happy-to-be-the-clown-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-iain-stirling-happy-to-be-the-clown-avalon-promotions/#commentsFri, 31 Aug 2012 17:57:01 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=15437”This is my first hour at Edinburgh”, Iain Stirling admits early on in his gig, and at times it shows. That’s not to say Stirling isn’t a talented comedian – he is – or that his jokes aren’t solidly funny and technically well-constructed – they are – or even that his gimmick is pointless – unusually, it actually helps his act. Rather, Stirling’s material just feels a touch flabby, with the build-up to each joke taking a minute too long, cumulatively making his set drag and meaning he never quite builds up enough laughter momentum to knock our socks off. A little wet behind the ears, Stirling will be great once he’s honed his craft for a little longer.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-iain-stirling-happy-to-be-the-clown-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: The Horne Section – Live at the Grand! (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-the-horne-section-live-at-the-grand-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-the-horne-section-live-at-the-grand-avalon-promotions/#commentsFri, 31 Aug 2012 12:13:28 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=14933It’s more a variety show than a full-blown Horne Section extravaganza, but there is plenty of hilarious musical entertainment to be had in the company of Alex Horne and his brilliant band. That said, for me, there was probably a little too much variety and not enough Horne. Just as the Section got into their groove, they brought on another act, somewhat stifling any momentum they were building. Although Pappy’s were fine and La Gateux Chocolat magnificent, there is no doubting who the stars of this show were, and they were the ones introducing the lesser acts. Nevertheless, ‘Live At The Grand!’ was a well-polished and fun-filled evening with a fantastic host and talented group of musicians; just don’t expect quite enough Horne to sate your desires.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-the-horne-section-live-at-the-grand-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Russell Kane – Posturing Delivery (Avalon Promotions Ltd)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-russell-kane-posturing-delivery-avalon-promotions-ltd/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-russell-kane-posturing-delivery-avalon-promotions-ltd/#commentsFri, 31 Aug 2012 10:45:08 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=15477Russell Kane should perhaps consider changing the first letter of his surname to ‘B’ in solidarity with the sometimes equally-unintelligible character from ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. Beset by sound issues since beginning his stint at the Assembly Rooms Ballroom, Kane/Bane did his level best to redress the problems with a more theatrical and deliberate performance. With a narrative structure that takes the audience through the growth of broody Kane’s fictitious son Ivan, we are treated to auto-biographical anecdotes and common observations plucked from male adolescence. It doesn’t completely work, though intelligent quips on Liam Neeson’s recent filmography and the awkwardness of having a sibling three to four years younger/older provide enough evidence to suggest Kane will continue to prosper.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-russell-kane-posturing-delivery-avalon-promotions-ltd/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Roisin Conaty – Lifehunter (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-roisin-conaty-lifehunter-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-roisin-conaty-lifehunter-avalon-promotions/#commentsFri, 24 Aug 2012 06:59:09 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=13374Where better to get all the information you need about life than at a stand-up show? It is what Roisin does and it is what I will do from now on. In her new show she teaches you how to deal with goats, spiritual retreats and how to use your vices to their best abilities. Her chatty ”I-don’t-like-silence” onslaught keeps the evening flowing, though at times it does sound like she doesn’t know exactly where she is going with what she says. Her best material, however, comes from her excellent crowd banter and given the great rapport she generates, I wouldn’t mind going on a night out with her and her ”A game”.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-roisin-conaty-lifehunter-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: The Comedy Zone (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-the-comedy-zone-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-the-comedy-zone-avalon-promotions/#commentsFri, 24 Aug 2012 06:52:58 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=13365Now in its twenty-second year, ‘The Comedy Zone’ is the longest running comedy showcase at the Fringe, continuing to offer the stage to four of the hottest up-and-coming comedians on the circuit. The compère for the evening, WitTank’s loveable Kieran Boyd, had the audience in his pocket; politely taking the piss, as well as creating a natural and relaxed atmosphere; adding a few witty observations here and there. The ingenious Ahir Shah, lively Hayley Ellis and charming Mark Smith then took to the stage, each offering a different innovative style of humour. ‘The Comedy Zone’ offers something for each comedy palate. So if you’re looking for an evening of great comedy, this is your pint of beer.

Pleasance Courtyard, 1-26 Aug, 10.45pm tw rating 4/5 | [Emma Obank]

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-the-comedy-zone-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Fran Moulds – Significant Human Error (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-fran-moulds-significant-human-error-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-fran-moulds-significant-human-error-avalon-promotions/#commentsThu, 23 Aug 2012 07:02:54 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=13106Fran Moulds could not have a more appropriate name, because it’s her versatility as a performer that renders her debut Fringe show a veritable success. Performing six comic monologues – from a politically resentful guide of a Welsh mining museum, to a narcissistic, self-loathing celebrity columnist – Moulds certainly displays her undeniable talents as an accomplished character actress and storyteller. Not only does she perform each piece to great comedic effect, but Moulds also manages to produce a darker, more sinister edge which adds a sense of unnerving realism to each sketch, elevating them from simple, one-dimensional comedy characters. A master class in performance, I can’t wait to see what else this gifted actress will produce.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-fran-moulds-significant-human-error-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Carl Donnelly – Different Gravy (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-carl-donnelly-different-gravy-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-carl-donnelly-different-gravy-avalon-promotions/#commentsMon, 20 Aug 2012 22:49:29 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=12687Carl Donnelly takes us on a tour of Tooting Broadway in his autobiographical show ‘Different Gravy’. We are greeted with the power ballad ‘St Elmo’s Fire’ and a slide montage of Carl’s childhood pics and comments. If you suspect indulgence is afoot, what prevails in the autobiography, in its loosest physical form, is a tongue-in-cheek diary based on the pseudo pretension that Carl will be famous one day and need to write one. Carl has a real connection with the audience and chuckles through his show with conversational confidence. This well-structured and pleasant set ambles along, noteworthy moments emerging from the pages with the deliberate naïveté of this Adrian Mole trying to emulate Howard Marks.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-carl-donnelly-different-gravy-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Jigsaw – Gettin’ Jiggy (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-jigsaw-gettin-jiggy-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-jigsaw-gettin-jiggy-avalon-promotions/#commentsMon, 20 Aug 2012 22:11:06 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=12641A sketch-troupe consisting of three stand-up comedians – Dan Antopolski, Nat Luurtsema and Tom Craine – Jigsaw return to Edinburgh with a show of innovative and inventive skits. The whole performance is exceptionally tight, fast-paced and crammed with entertaining material; it was hard to believe that the full hour was up by the end. Particularly hilarious were the running gags, with one about a man seeking IVF never failing to have the audience in hysterics. My only minor criticism is that Luurtsema often felt like an accessory in many of the sketches and should have had a more prominent role. However, it’s clear to see why this trio are rising stars in the comedy world, having already been picked up by BBC television and radio. This Jigsaw fits together perfectly.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-jigsaw-gettin-jiggy-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Tom Deacon – Deaconator (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-tom-deacon-deaconator-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-tom-deacon-deaconator-avalon-promotions/#commentsMon, 20 Aug 2012 20:01:04 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=12589It is made clear early on that this show is not about football, it’s about stickers. Obviously it’s about slightly more than stickers, but Tom Deacon turns the story of completing his 2010 World Cup sticker collection into an uplifting, life-affirming journey. A very funny life-affirming journey; this is a comedy routine after all. As Deacon progresses through his tale of heartbreak, triumph, and a bit more heartbreak, he gets stronger and stronger, and easily deviates from his script, talks to the audience and finds his way back into his sticker tales. This is Deacon’s third solo at the festival and despite the Radio 1 image, he is becoming an accomplished comedian.

Pleasance Dome, 1-25 Aug, 7.00pm. tw rating 4/5 | [David O’Connor]

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-tom-deacon-deaconator-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Richard Herring Talking Cock – The Second Coming (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-richard-herring-talking-cock-the-second-coming-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-richard-herring-talking-cock-the-second-coming-avalon-promotions/#commentsMon, 20 Aug 2012 17:27:17 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=12470Herring (the plastic, anatomically-incorrect version) is all over Edinburgh. On walls, lampposts, on doors and street corners. But there he is silent. He isn’t silent at the Underbelly. In fact he talks at an astonishing rate, barely stopping to breathe while relating his findings about the general public’s genitals. Never afraid to undermine his meticulously scripted diatribe against judgement and fear with a crowd-pleasing gag or extended dissection of his own material; this is stand-up going above and beyond the call of duty. While it’s impossible to know if there was enlightenment mingled with the audience’s laughter, at least one thing’s certain: they’ll never look at jelly carefully spooned into a toilet roll the same way again.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-richard-herring-talking-cock-the-second-coming-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Matt Forde – Eyes To The Right, Nose To The Left (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-matt-forde-eyes-to-the-right-nose-to-the-left-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-matt-forde-eyes-to-the-right-nose-to-the-left-avalon-promotions/#commentsSun, 19 Aug 2012 04:47:52 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=12402It can be difficult to find cheerful political comedy in these austere and apathetic times (as funny as it can be, satire’s often a bit dark). Thankfully, Matt Forde manages to combine infectious enthusiasm and gleeful giggling with astutely well-informed political opinions, without excluding those of us who don’t follow what’s happening in Westminster quite as closely as we should. From the time the Labour-supporting comedian crashed the Tory Party Conference to his encounters with unusual callers on his late night talkSPORT radio show, Forde’s set is brimming with anecdotes and excellent impressions. He’s not afraid to divide opinion, but even if you don’t agree with him on everything, it’s still very easy to like Matt Forde.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-matt-forde-eyes-to-the-right-nose-to-the-left-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Naz Osmanoglu – Ottoman Without An Empire (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-naz-osmanoglu-ottoman-without-an-empire-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-naz-osmanoglu-ottoman-without-an-empire-avalon-promotions/#commentsSat, 18 Aug 2012 06:50:31 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=12216His confidence is booming and his hat is massive, what more do you want? Naz Osmanoglu – one of the acclaimed WitTank trio – jokes about his Turkish roots, his father and a certificate he’s particularly proud of. The audience clearly love this guy – they’re laughing from start to finish, regardless of whether the jokes are cuttingly insightful or well delivered. Perhaps it’s his way of exaggerating words in a sinister tone of voice, which happens almost as often as he mentions that his dad is an angry man. A couple of great gags about what it’s like being a kid and the futility of the gym really got me going. If you like observational comedy, you’ll probably find him a Turkish delight.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-naz-osmanoglu-ottoman-without-an-empire-avalon-promotions/feed/1ED2012 Comedy Review: WitTank (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-wittank-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-wittank-avalon-promotions/#commentsMon, 13 Aug 2012 17:24:18 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=11411Whoever said that comedy is subjective is lying; as Mark, Naz and Kieran are undoubtedly three of the most witty and talented sketch comedians of this decade. You may have seen them on BBC’s ‘Live At The Electric’; but now you can see their eclectic hour long show, in which they provide sketch comedy like no other; they’re always two steps ahead of the audience, and will have you laughing so much that it hurts. Year on year, WitTank deliver excellent shows, committing fully to each and every role, willing to strip down to their underpants to get a giggle. Although “born out of failure” it is clear that these comedians are destined for success as masters of their trade.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-wittank-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2012 Comedy Review: Gráinne Maguire – Where Are All The Fun Places And Are Lots Of People There Having Better Fun? (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-grainne-maguire-where-are-all-the-fun-places-and-are-lots-of-people-there-having-better-fun-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-comedy-review-grainne-maguire-where-are-all-the-fun-places-and-are-lots-of-people-there-having-better-fun-avalon-promotions/#commentsSun, 05 Aug 2012 05:05:53 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=10281Gráinne Maguire was quick to inform her audience that the endearing maniac with which she presented them was not some ill-thought-out character but her very own ill-thought-out personality; a distinction which set the tone for a funny and confessional hour. The theme (that niggling worry that there is always more fun to be had elsewhere) did not have a strong presence in the first half but as we reached the final 25 minutes it became the focus, opening up a rich comedic vein. An engaging performer, Maguire was able to keep the audience onside through some of the weaker pieces of material and rewarded them with a strong ending, neatly tying up the show’s varied strands.

Having first arrived at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2008 via Avalon’s Comedy Zone new talent show, stand-up, TV presenter and Radio 1 DJ Tom Deacon returns to this year’s festival with ‘Deconator’, during which he promises to talk “gap ‘yahs’ and stag dos, helping his mate rob a bank and potentially causing Greece’s economic crash”. And if that’s not got you curious, then his answers to the ThreeWeeks Quick Quiz should…

TW: Tell us about your 2012 show in no more than 60 words.
TD: My show this year has been the most complicated to put together, like those black belt origami creations. Essentially my third show is about my journey to feel complete by completing a sticker album. Though, of course, I’ll talk about all those hilarious moments that happened along the way too.

TW: Tell us about another show or performer you’re looking forward to seeing this year.
TD: As I do every year, I look forward to going to see a show via a drunken late night conversation where someone tells me “You must see this show! I can’t believe you haven’t already”. There is an air of pompousness when they say this, but I’m willing to let that slide for the sake of a good show to see. Also, I always – without fail – go and see ‘The Comedy Zone’ (at Pleasance Courtyard). Once you’ve been in it you have to go back to support the new crop. This year is a great line-up, something for everyone as they say (though I don’t, because that sounds pompous too).

TW: How will you be preparing for the Fringe this year?
TD: This year I’m on a strict healthy eating mission. I CANNOT GET ILL like I did last year. Please don’t come to my show if you’re contagious. Last year I had to have mini breaks during the show to clear all the green liquid in my nose. It was horrible for everyone.

TW: What advice would you have for someone coming to the Fringe for the first time?
TD: I like to play the game ‘Find A Local’. It sounds simple but is, in fact, very difficult. I lost two days playing it last year (sure I missed two of my shows in the process, but I got my body double to do the show for me – a long distance runner, our physiques are the same, though, ironically, I have no stamina like she has). Failing that, I’d take every flyer that tickles you when you read the title, and go and see that show.

TW: If your show was an Olympic sport, what would it be and why?
TD: It’s like the 100 metre final: before you know it, it’s all over and you’ll wish you’d recorded it. (Obviously don’t come in and record my show, or I’ll get an usher to find you and ask you to leave, like they do in the cinema – you’ve been warned).

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-quick-quiz-tom-deacon/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Alex Horne – Taskmaster II (Avalon)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-alex-horne-taskmaster-ii-avalon/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-alex-horne-taskmaster-ii-avalon/#commentsWed, 31 Aug 2011 11:27:18 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=5899The ‘Taskmaster’ comedy challenge, a unique competition and award ceremony now in its second year, features Alex Horne giving a collection of fellow comedians a year to complete certain tasks. This year’s competitors were Tim Key, Mark Watson, Henning Wehn, Stuart Goldsmith, Bruce Dessau, Dan Atkinson, Lloyd Langford, Joe Wilkinson, Steve Hall, and winner Josie Long. Their tasks ranged from cheering up Horne’s recently dumped friend to finding something to entertain him for ten minutes on holiday. As it happens, you can’t have ten comedians, Horne, and last year’s winner Mike Wozniak, and not get impressive hilarity. Seeing camaraderie between competing festival performers was great, and the tasks were ridiculous and diverse. Hopefully this will become an annual presence at the Fringe.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-alex-horne-taskmaster-ii-avalon/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Tom Deacon: Can I Be Honest? (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-tom-deacon-can-i-be-honest-avalon-productions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-tom-deacon-can-i-be-honest-avalon-productions/#commentsSat, 27 Aug 2011 19:53:13 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=3794As a star of BBC’s Radio One and with an ever-increasing public profile, the pressure is certainly on Tom Deacon to delight the masses at this year’s Fringe Festival. Does he rise to challenge? Well, I certainly think so. The premise of his show this year is to get off his chest a variety of things that really irk and annoy him, each accompanied by a suitably amusing and often hilariously awkward anecdote – whether the grim reality of getting piles or the effort involved with eating certain fruit. At times the humour fluctuates but, on the whole, Tom delivers great original material with ever-so-astute timing. A brilliantly savvy comic with a very bright future.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-tom-deacon-can-i-be-honest-avalon-productions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Russell Kane – Manscaping (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-russell-kane-manscaping-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-russell-kane-manscaping-avalon-promotions/#commentsSat, 27 Aug 2011 07:21:20 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=3506Russell Kane is in the middle of a crisis, both in his life and his career. A difficult year, beginning with the collapse of his marriage, has left him struggling with his identity and looking, in his words, “like the aborted triplet of Jedward”. These problems form the crux of his high energy, fast paced show, where he relates the various things that have happened to him in the past 12 months, as he tries to decide what direction his life will take. At times he is very funny, but unfortunately the show is fairly inconsistent, with large amounts of self-searching by Kane which, while probably quite therapeutic for him, doesn’t always lend itself well to comedy.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-russell-kane-manscaping-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Hot Tub With Kurt and Kristen (Assembly By Arrangement With Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-hot-tub-with-kurt-and-kristen-assembly-by-arrangement-with-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-hot-tub-with-kurt-and-kristen-assembly-by-arrangement-with-avalon-promotions/#commentsFri, 26 Aug 2011 12:59:18 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=3450Kurt and Kristen are the perfect hosts for an evening of fun, frolics and fanny-farting fairies (don’t ask). Cominng over like a bizarre married couple, this comic duo deliver highly original, hilarious sketches and stand-up. Their interplay with each other and the audience is definitely the show’s strongest asset; the opening involves discovering which audience member has the hottest crotch – just a snippet of the wonderfully offbeat comedy in store. They are supported by the fabulous comic musician Adira Amram, as well as different Fringe comedy acts each night. Though a show exclusively dedicated to Kurt and Kristen would have sufficed, this show combines the best of the Fringe into just over an hour. Genius.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-hot-tub-with-kurt-and-kristen-assembly-by-arrangement-with-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Steve Hall’s Very Still Life (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-steve-halls-very-still-life-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-steve-halls-very-still-life-avalon-promotions/#commentsThu, 25 Aug 2011 12:12:09 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=3210Poor Steve Hall, sensible member of madcap sketch trio ‘We Are Klang': not only was his Australian wife’s visa rejected during the first eight months of his marriage, leaving him alone and heartbroken in London, but he’s no longer the most famous Steve Hall in the entertainment industry after that embarrassing pensioner danced into the limelight on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. This bitter-sweet performance is as polished and entertaining as you’d expect from the man chosen to be Russell Howard’s support act on recent stadium tours. Hall’s self-deprecating anecdotes work brilliantly, with an absolutely lovely story about chatting up women via online Scrabble. Unfortunately, his risqué jokes are inappropriate and misguided; don’t drop such clangers next time, Steve.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-steve-halls-very-still-life-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Dan Antopolski, Tom Craine & Nat Luurtsema: Jigsawhttp://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-dan-antopolski-tom-craine-nat-luurtsema-jigsaw/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-dan-antopolski-tom-craine-nat-luurtsema-jigsaw/#commentsThu, 25 Aug 2011 11:52:18 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=3181Sketch comedians usually rely on props and costumes to pull together short stints of comedic brilliance; that said, these three are established stand-ups, so you might have expected a minimalist approach: these three didn’t need much more than two stools, a stocking and some lentils to create a great balance between a stand-up show and a sketch set. Insanely witty one-liners were inserted between the bigger skits, which included spoofs of ‘Dragons’ Den’, pregnancy, and ‘The Godfather’, making this quite a jigsaw-puzzle of humour. They return to some of their jokes during the hour, but the lack of an overall theme is quite refreshing. If you’ve been here for a while and you’re tired of watching people on stage try too hard, check out this show: these guys are just naturally funny.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-dan-antopolski-tom-craine-nat-luurtsema-jigsaw/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Al Murray’s Compete For The Meat (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-al-murrays-compete-for-the-meat-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-al-murrays-compete-for-the-meat-avalon-promotions/#commentsThu, 25 Aug 2011 11:40:16 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=3169Al Murray has a few die-hard regulars in his audience, but even they are completely bemused by the opening video showing his reaction to the London riots. The next hour and a half is spent between general knowledge, half-baked singalongs and Murray shouting “It’s Chriiiistmaaaas!” in order to excuse anything. The Pub Landlord humour of systematically insulting his audience is still a crowd-pleaser, but the pub-quiz format and limited seating means not all of us are really involved, so it’s worth getting in early if you do want to compete for the meat. Maybe the late-night show will be merrier, but in the middle of the day in rainy August, Christmas cheer is really lacking.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-al-murrays-compete-for-the-meat-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Naz Osmanoglu – 1000% Awesome (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-naz-osmanoglu-1000-awesome-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-naz-osmanoglu-1000-awesome-avalon-promotions/#commentsSat, 20 Aug 2011 18:29:33 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=2655The prominently bearded Naz Osmanoglu bristles with confidence. Not only is he a long-standing Fringe favourite as a member of sketch trio WitTank, but he is also the nineteenth person in line to the Ottoman throne. In his brilliant debut solo hour, Naz, half repressed Englishman and half passionate Turk, ruminates on masculine idealism and bipolar identity – the confusing juxtaposition of being as likely to open the door courteously for a woman as spear the infidel in bloodthirsty conflict. The rapturous audience frequently erupt into applause during this masterfully structured performance, and I’d be disappointed if Osmanoglu wasn’t nominated for “Best Newcomer” in a fortnight’s time. Forget Suleiman – it’s Naz who is truly magnificent.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-naz-osmanoglu-1000-awesome-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Dave Gorman’s Power Point Presentation (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-dave-gormans-power-point-presentation-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-dave-gormans-power-point-presentation-avalon-promotions/#commentsSat, 20 Aug 2011 18:06:40 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=2627Everyone wants to be friends with Dave Gorman. With an infectious energy, he barely stops to breathe in this hilarious PowerPoint-assisted quest to decipher the everyday, from 48-hour deodorant to food that makes your wee smell funny. Gorman has a flair for finding humour in places you would never look, and even though there’s seemingly no real point to the PowerPoint beyond his self-confessed love for technology, the format provides a visual punch to his relentless stream of thought. Gorman reacts naturally to his audience, genuinely relishes their enthusiasm and delivers with such vitality and presence, that it’s as if he’s sharing light-bulb moments for the first time. If you don’t already, you may well leave thinking Gorman’s a genius.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-dave-gormans-power-point-presentation-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Roisin Conaty – Destiny’s Dickhead (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-roisin-conaty-destinys-dickhead-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-roisin-conaty-destinys-dickhead-avalon-promotions/#commentsSat, 20 Aug 2011 17:38:58 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=2597Big, blonde and brash Roisin Conaty bounds onstage to tell us all about ‘Destiny’s Dickhead’ – she has, like a lot of other comedians, based her show on self-reflection. An unrelenting tendency to self-deprecation can get a little tedious, particularly at the Fringe where stand-up in the vein of “look how hilarious my pathetic life is,” is in abundance, but Roisin manages an incredibly unique show and anyone who has fallen victim to the charm of an internet-based lifestyle can relate to its themes. There’s nothing showy to the comedy, and audience banter keeps it all flowing as there are no boundaries with Roisin – it’s a bit like meeting someone likeable in the pub and hitting it off. Game for a laugh in any case.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-roisin-conaty-destinys-dickhead-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: The Comedy Zone (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-the-comedy-zone-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-the-comedy-zone-avalon-promotions/#commentsSat, 20 Aug 2011 16:43:27 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=2569It was undoubtedly the compère for the evening, Iain Stirling, who held this comic-medley together. His performance alone warrants a 5/5: his charm and natural banter with the audience is only elevated by his admirable ability to deal with hecklers. This is more than can be said for the first act of the evening, Hari Kondabolu, who was thrown off course by a stray heckler. The awkward atmosphere created by Kondabolu’s inability to recover marred what could have been a good performance. However, the following two comedians, Paul Currie and Phil Wang, offered good sets, meaning that we were guaranteed an evening of laughs from four comedians who could be on the scene for a long time.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-the-comedy-zone-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Richard Herring: What Is Love Anyway? (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-richard-herring-what-is-love-anyway-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-richard-herring-what-is-love-anyway-avalon-promotions/#commentsFri, 19 Aug 2011 07:14:36 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=2402Goodness, he’s loud and fast this year. He’s in a vast, cavernous Victorian hall and perhaps he’s trying to fill the room – not only with punters – but also with his voice. Last year’s show was about the irrationality of religion; this year it’s about the irrationality of love. There are, of course, crude sex jokes aplenty, amongst self-deprecating navel-gazing, and shocking anti-romanticism. I was initially disappointed that the show didn’t seem to contain any of Herring’s trademark sentimental meanderings, but of course he saved it till the end and then delivered a whopper – an extended story about his grandmother recited over Debussy – followed by a soppy philosophical rom-com ending to bring this sweet evening to a fittingly mawkish close.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-richard-herring-what-is-love-anyway-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Gareth Richards, It’s Not The End Of The World (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-gareth-richards-its-not-the-end-of-the-world-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-gareth-richards-its-not-the-end-of-the-world-avalon-promotions/#commentsFri, 19 Aug 2011 06:59:28 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=2373For a self-professed optimist, Richards spends a lot of his show talking about what he would remove from the world if he had the chance. He examines our need for an apocalypse reasonably well, and has uplifting moments, but then launches into a story of unrequited love and having a rubbish job, both of which seem out of place. Bouts of nervous stand-up and storytelling are interspersed with songs – played on a strange instrument from the 1970s – which, again, focus too much on the negative, though are at times genuinely funny. Having seen the horrible grey parts of life, he informs us, there won’t be an end – not the best thing to hear on a rainy Edinburgh night.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-gareth-richards-its-not-the-end-of-the-world-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Alex Horne – Seven Years In The Bathroomhttp://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-alex-horne-seven-years-in-the-bathroom/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-alex-horne-seven-years-in-the-bathroom/#commentsThu, 18 Aug 2011 21:51:32 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=2292Rarely has so much hard work gone into making a comedy show so effortlessly entertaining. The captivating Alex Horne’s cheerful smile might have been full of wide gaps, but this blisteringly fast-paced, continually surprising and genuinely innovative hour was as tight and expertly crafted as any Fringe spectator could ever wish to see. Condensing 79 years of the average person’s lifetime into 60 minutes, Horne reeled off incredible statistics as he performed everyday activities in proportion to their cumulative duration, making impeccable witticisms and setting enchantingly silly audience challenges along the way. I cannot recommend ‘Seven Years In The Bathroom’ highly enough – festival judges, please give this man a water bottle encased in glass, or whatever the equivalent is nowadays.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-alex-horne-seven-years-in-the-bathroom/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: Ahir Shah – Astrology (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-ahir-shah-astrology-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-ahir-shah-astrology-avalon-promotions/#commentsThu, 18 Aug 2011 21:49:17 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=2289At only 20 years of age, Ahir Shah – or as MS Word would have it “Hair Shag” – already cuts a striking figure on the comedy circuit. Over the course of the evening, he delivers a routine of highbrow comedy akin to the output of the likes of Stewart Lee, at some points coming close to mimicking Lee’s techniques; not necessarily a bad thing. Through a mixture of intellectualism and profanity Shah analyses moments from his life through the spectrum of fate, from reading the books of German political economist Max Weber to the existentialist crisis of masturbating to internet porn. Oozing with confidence, Shah will no doubt be a star, not just of this year’s festival, but many more to come.

]]>http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-ahir-shah-astrology-avalon-promotions/feed/0ED2011 Comedy Review: The Baby Diary (Avalon Promotions)http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-the-baby-diary-avalon-promotions/
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2011-comedy-review-the-baby-diary-avalon-promotions/#commentsSun, 14 Aug 2011 17:44:47 +0000http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/?p=1694After years of trying to conceive, Jenny’s finally pregnant, and she and Mike don’t waste any time anxiously and enthusiastically documenting every single step towards parenthood. While the father-to-be attempts to get as many ‘Likes’ on Facebook as he can for ‘Dad Blog’, he’s given the task of telling flat mate Simon to vacate his porn-plastered bedroom to make way for baby Ed. Emily Watson Howes’ latest play is a unique fusion of projected film and live action, which tells the tale of the couple’s amusing and familiar journey from sad farewell to Duncan the house rabbit to the hysterical taxi ride to the hospital. Drenched in irony, this is a perfectly charming comedy about the tribulations of modern parenthood.

It’s coming and you know it. First performers and ticket-buyers bring with them to Edinburgh viruses from all over the world. Then no one sleeps or eats properly for ten days, and the Edinburgh climate soaks them to their skin three times daily.

Add the excessive alcohol consumption and too much time spent in dark rooms, and Fringe Flu hits, taking down with it anyone fully immersed in all things Fringe. But how to avoid the lurgy? Fringe performers offer tips.

Gateau Chocolat: “I’m taking everything that’s going. Echinacea, manuka honey, multi vitamins, vegetables, lemon and ginger, steaming; everything to keep healthy and ensure you preserve the quality and integrity of your show so as to present your work in the best light possible. Its hard slog doing a full Edinburgh season but its the underlying discipline
required for this career”.Le Gateau Chocolat, Assembly George Square, fpp12.

The Suitcase Royale: “The Suitcase Royale have a strict regime of whiskey and Ace Ventura movies while on tour and very rarely are struck by the fringe flu. Being from Australia, we are used to much harsher conditions such as wrestling crocodiles, punching sharks and avoiding hostile gangs of koalas. When struck down, however, we have an emergency VHS copy of ZUMBA (the South American dance-slash-workout video) After a six hour workout we defy anyone to still be affected by a stupid flu…! Feel the rhythm! Feel the beat!!”The Suitcase Royale in Zombatland, Pleasance Courtyard, fpp156.

David Reed: “Any doctor worth his or her weight will tell you that the solution to this annual problem is speed. Not the drug. That only cures being too interesting. But speed of activity throughout Edinburgh. Your body is entirely capable of keeping you alive as long as you NEVER… SLOW… DOWN. Travel around at break neck speed, seeing shows, chatting and drinking until you pass out around 4am. Repeat daily until September”.David Reed: Shamblehouse, Pleasance Courtyard, fpp65.

Asher Treleaven: “The best cure for Fringe Flu is a traditional Scottish breakfast known as Porrocca, which is a combination of rolled oats and Berroca. The porridge provides a long lasting slow release energy and the Berocca provides valuable B and C vitamins to help deal with hang overs and colds/flus. Ingredients for Porroca – 150gm Rolled Oats, 2 Berocca, preferably the orange ones. Directons. Prepare in small sauce pan with I cup of water or milk add Berroca and when fluid starts to simmer introduce the oats. Stir till thickened then eat rapidly from saucepan while running to midday gig at some place in a cave”.Asher Treleaven: Matador, Pleasance Courtyard, fpp40.

Peacock and Gamble: “The best advice we can give about not getting fringe flu is to simply not acknowledge its existence. If we have learned one thing from Nightmare on Elm St it is that if you do not believe in something it cannot harm you. Oh and never go to sleep – that’s another thing we learned. So if you don’t want fringe flu then don’t go to sleep. We may have talked ourselves into a corner here”.Peacock and Gamble Emergency Broadcast, Pleasance Dome, fpp132.

Danny Pensive: “Fizzy vitamin C tablets can stop you getting it, but if it is too late, go straight home after your show and wrap yourself in as many blankets as you can find and force yourself to sleep until the next day like a hibernating hedgehog or tortoise. Do this twice”.Danny Pensive’s Map Of Britain, Just The Tonic at The Caves, fpp63.

Tiernan Douieb: “I have two cures for fringe flu, depending on what sort of person you are. Firstly, do your show then go to bed, drink berroca until every drop of your perspiration is fluorescent orange and glows, chow down on all the fruit you can find, ignoring the pleas of your bowels and rest up a tad till it disperses. Of course, this option is mostly fictional. Far better to remember that alcohol has and is still often used as a disinfectant and by drowning your body in the thing you should clear the system of all ills”.Tiernan Douieb vs The World, Assembly Hall, fpp158.

Kerry Godliman: “Prevention is better than cure: Avoid over exposure to jugglers, Lady Boys from Bangkok and bitter comedians. If it does strike, stay indoors watching the most vapid daytime TV you can find. You’ll slowly regain your appetite for live ‘performance art’ and trench foot”.Kerry Godliman – Wonder Woman, Pleasance Courtyard, fpp104.

Tom Deacon: “The best way to keep the Fringe Flu at bay is to eat healthy and not have fun. But if you can’t manage that then have a pint of the dark stuff and a plate of Oysters. Settles your stomach and nerves, plus there’s loads of minerals in the Oysters. Sure you’ll get odd looks but it’ll be worth it!”Tom Deacon: Can I Be Honest?, Pleasance Dome, fpp160.

James Acaster: “The best way to overcome fringe flu is to eat properly, sleep properly and exercise but if you’re doing all of those things then you’re probably not at the Fringe”.James Acaster: Amonst Other Things, Pleasance Courtyard, fpp94.

Does Barry Cryer need an introduction? He’s a familiar face from TV, a familiar voice from the radio, and he’s written comedy for most of the big comedy names of the last half century (and more) as far as we can tell: Morecambe and Wise, The Two Ronnies, Richard Pryor, Les Dawson and Tommy Cooper, to name but a few.

He’s a legend in the comedy business. It’s therefore no surprise that this week’s Guest Editor Richard Herring, wanted to put a few questions to him.

RH: Hello Baz, thanks for agreeing to answer my questions. Over the last half a century you have worked with seemingly all the greats of comedy from Stanley Baxter to Richard Pryor – is there any one attribute that unites this disparate group of people? Can you home in on what makes them the geniuses that they were?
BC: They have one thing in common: They have nothing in common.

RH: You are possibly the only act on this year’s Fringe to have had a number one hit record in Finland. How did that come about?
BC: Sheb Woolley, country singer and actor – he was one of the baddies who was going to kill Gary Cooper in ‘High Noon’ – had a big hit with the ‘Purple People Eater’ in 1958. For some reason, his version was not released in Scandinavia, so they pushed out my English cover version. I then got a phone call: “You’re number 1 in Finland”. I stayed there for three weeks – I believe they gave away a car with each record.

RH: One of the things I most admire about you (and there are many) is that you still seem to love comedy after all these years, and are interested in the new generation of comics rather than complaining that they’re all rubbish these days. Many comics get bitter about their lot and annoyed by the formulas and mechanics of comedy. How do you keep it fresh after all these years?
BC: I have no knowledge of my limitations.

RH: You always come across as a calm and polite gentleman and no one bitches about you behind your back (which is unusual for a comedian). But there must be a dark side to you. Come on, what’s the nastiest thing you’ve ever done?
BC: I once trashed a hotel room by throwing a crumpled tissue on the floor. Please don’t open these old wounds.

RH: You’ve seemed to be happy in your career working behind the scenes as much as in front, writing gags for other people did you ever envy them their fame and riches or is the real trick of this job to be able to constantly work?
BC: There was no envy – if you were writing for Eric Morecombe how on earth could you do it better?

RH: Do you have a favourite comedian out of all the ones you’ve worked with?
BARRY: At the risk of unpatriotism, my idol was and is Jack Benny. He played a mean, conceited coward and loved other people getting laughs. I rest my case.

RH: You were great mates with Michael Mcintyre’s dad – what do you make of Michael’s breathtaking rise to fame?
BC: He seems to have provoked some reaction from other comedians… they know who they are and I know where they live. Nuff said.

RH: According to Wikipedia you played the waiter serving the wine in the original Four Yorkshiremen sketch on ‘At Last The 1948 Show’. Did you have a hand in the writing of this all-time classic sketch? And if so can you remember your contribution?
BC: No, I had no hand in the writing of the sketch, but I believe an older Oscar Wilde was involved.

RH: I am a few years younger than you and yet still find performing at the Fringe enormously draining. Do you have any tips to surviving this stressful occasion for the less youthful comedian?
BC: (1) Sleep. (2) Sleep. (3) Get Up (4) Sleep.

RH: Every time I see you, you regale me with your latest joke (often two or three times, but they always bear the repetition!). Which gags are you enjoying the most at the moment?
BC: At the risk of repeating myself (who are you by the way?), my current favourite concerns a man who, instead of drinking liquid Viagra, drank some Tippex by mistake. He woke up in the morning with an enormous correction.

RH: You are a great craftsman of comedy – do you know it all now, or are you still learning new things?
BC: The day I know it all I’ll realise I don’t know it all.

RH: My plan is to stay alive longer than all my contemporaries so I can rewrite comedy history with myself in the centre of it – has it been hard to cope with the loss of so many of your contemporaries and do you contemplate your mortality?
BC: Only every day. The day I look in the mirror and there is no-one there I’ll realise I’ve become a vampire.

With so many shows at this festival, and so many reviews in ThreeWeeks as a result, how can you find the time to really discover the hidden gems at the Fringe?

Well, we suggest taking a step back from the hub hub of the main festival, and chilling out for an hour or so, so you can do the reviews justice. As to where exactly you should chill, we asked eleven Fringe veterans for their tips. So, grab a copy of the latest ThreeWeeks weekly and/or daily edition from the nearest venue, or, where WiFi is on offer, logon to www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk, or if you’re a smartphone user fire up iFringe, and sit back, relax a little, and read the reviews…

Craig Hill: The New Town Deli on Broughton Street
“I mainly like to read the reviews in September when I’m chilling, but since I live in Edinburgh it would still be in my favourite little cafe ‘The New Town Deli’ where no matter what the review says the sun always shines through their big sunny windows in their happy little yellow corner cafe – the perfect place to while the day away with the papers”. More at www.thenewtowndeli.comCraig Hill – Blown By Fan…!, Underbelly’s Pasture, fpp62.

Alex Horne: The Meadows
“There’s an amazing sandpit on the meadows into which you can chuck your children then sit at the side and relax. It’s not just a pit with sand in; there are climbing frames, funnels and a sort of industrial digger which must be dangerous. It’s also close enough to the pitch and putt to act as a bunker. As I say, perfect for the kids”.Alex Horne: Seven Years in the Bathroom, Pleasance Dome, fpp36.Alex Horne: Taskmaster, Gilded Balloon Teviot, fpp36.

Pippa Bailey: Edinburgh City Library on George IV Bridge
“I like to go to the Edinburgh Library on George IV Bridge, it’s beautiful and far from the madding crowd. I take the papers and my computer for a browse through competing opinions. I don’t know if libraries are threatened in Scotland but this one is well worth supporting anyway”. Biding Time (A Year In The Making), Pleasance Dome, fpp243.

Catie Wilkins: The Forest Cafe on Bristo Place
“I really like The Forest Cafe. It’s a really lovely, chilled out vegetarian cafe, that feels a bit like a mini escape from the madness. It’s quite near the action, so you can grab a ThreeWeeks (from the Bedlam across the road, or there’s usually a copy in the Forest Cafe itself), then sit back and read it at your leisure without people banging into you… which would almost certainly happen if you read it in the box office/corridor where you pick your copy up from”. Catie Wilkins: A Chip Off The Odd Block, Udderbelly’s Pasture, fpp55.

Gareth Richards: Spoon on Nicholson Street
“My favourite place to go and read reviews in Edinburgh would be inside the body of a comedian having better time at Edinburgh than me. Failing that, trendy, kooky, spacious café Spoon, at 6a Nicolson Street, would be the place to go. They do great tea and lovely food which is pricier than fast food but worth it. I think people get put off Spoon, as they think they will have to actually spoon with someone while being there, but I’ve been on my own and it was actually fine”. More at www.spooncafe.co.uk Gareth Richards: It’s Not the End Of The World, Pleasance Courtyard, fpp82.

Dan Antopolski from Jigsaw: Mezz Bar on Broughton Street
“This unassuming café in the New Town is far enough from Festival hubbub to be a quiet spot for an extended coffee session and a read. Also, they make a great carbonara – I had it about five times last year”. More at www.mezzbar.net Jigsaw, Pleasance Courtyard, fpp98.

Lloyd Langford: Black Medicine Coffee on Nicholson Street
“I go to the Black Medicine Coffee Company on Nicholson Street. And if I start feeling down about my job, I go to the sex shop around the corner to put things in perspective. I imagine a bad review is easier to take than being gang-banged by eight moustachioed handymen”. More at www.blackmed.co.uk Lloyd Langford: The Cold Hard Facts of Life, The Stand, fpp109.

Jay Foreman: Pleasance Dome on Bristo Square
“The best place to sit and read the day’s reviews has to be the Pleasance Dome. For a venue with so many shows going on at once, it’s surprisingly quiet. And if after reading something unpleasant you feel the need to stare into space, what could be better than green leaves, cartoons on the wall, and the occasional old folk dancing the tango?” Jay Foreman: We’re Living In The Future, Underbelly Cowgate, fpp 96.

Rob Deering: Cameo Cinema Bar on Home Street
“So many cosy cafes and bars in Edinburgh, but my absolute favourite has to be the one at the Cameo cinema; comfy and cool, top movie decor, good drinks and snacks, and most importantly it always reminds me of Pulp Fiction. I saw the film for the first time at the Cameo, at midnight the first minute it was released, and now I always raise a glass and think to myself ‘you can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam and buy a beer. And I don’t mean just like in no paper cup, I’m talking about a glass of beer’. I don’t think Vincent Vega would ever worry about his reviews”. More at www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Cameo_Picturehouse The Rob Deering Experience, Pleasance Courtyard, fpp142. Rob Deering: Beat This, Pleasance Courtyard, fpp142.

Catriona Knox: Stockbridge
“I’d head to Stockbridge and saunter along the Water of Leith, maybe sit on a bench. There’s all sorts of jaunty, wholesome goings-on to soak up there. A little dog fell into said water when I was there last year (don’t worry it was fine) so there’s plenty to perk you up and remind you there’s a world outside the Fringe”. Catriona Knox: Packed Lunch, Udderbelly’s Pasture, fpp 55.

Amy Hoggart: My Aunt Fiona’s house
“My favourite place to read reviews in Edinburgh is Aunty Fiona’s house. It’s completely lovely. Seriously, if you are related to her I would really recommend inviting yourself round. She’ll give you a big cuddle and a cup of tea, and charge you for neither. Then you can sit on her sofa, and read the reviews while petting both her cats and screening awkward questions about extended family member relations and whether your boyfriend is inappropriately left-wing. Aunty Fi lives on the outskirts of the city so you can breathe either fresh country air or the over-powering stench of dung, depending on whether or not the farm next door are spreading. Time your visit around whichever smell you prefer while reading reviews, and say hi from me!” Christmas for Two: Friends With You, Just the Tonic, fpp58.